Geometrically variable-rocker surfboard

ABSTRACT

A flexible surfboard is provided in an embodiment. The surfboard includes a foam body having a length, width, and thickness. The surfboard includes a flexible structural component tapered in at least one dimension, and disposed within the foam body. The flexible structural component has as dimensions a length, width, and thickness, and is configured to flex under induced forces during use. The flex characteristics of the flexible surfboard are primarily dependent on flex characteristics of the flexible structural component. The tapered flexible structural component is oriented within the foam body such that the length, width, and thickness of the tapered flexible structural component align with the length, width, and thickness of the foam body, respectively. The thickness of the soft body is less than the width of the soft body, and the width of the soft body is less than the length of the soft body. The thickness of the tapered flexible structural component is less than the width of the tapered flexible structural component, and the width of the flexible structural component is less than the length of the tapered flexible structural component. The length of the tapered flexible structural component is 6 to 12 inches shorter than the length of the foam body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a Continuation In Part for U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/437,126 filed on Feb. 20, 2017, entitled “VARIABLE_ROCKER SURFBOARDS” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein which claims priority U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/299,443 filed on Mar. 24, 2016, entitled “FLEXIBLE SURFBOARDS BY WAY OF HORIZONTALLY LAMINATED SANDWICH PANEL AND SOFT EXTERIOR” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to the field of surfboards, and more particularly to an improved surfboard with a variable rocker.

2. Description of Related Art

A surfboard's rocker—it's longitudinal upwards curvature, measured from its bottom surface—affects that surfboard's balance between speed and maneuverability more than any other design aspect. A less curved (flatter) rocker increases straight-line speed but decreases maneuverability. A more curved rocker increases maneuverability but decreases straight-line speed.

This speed and maneuverability trade-off exists because typical surfboards are rigid which means their rockers are fixed shapes. Variable rockers potentially eliminate this trade-off.

Camber has been used in the ski and snowboard world for its edge control and ability to create a radius that may be used to initiate a turn. Camber is also effective at distributing a rider's weight across the length of skis or snowboards. Traditionally, this shape has not been effective for a surfboard profile. The concave nature of the snowboard camber creates a drag on the rear half of the board as its momentum creates lift in the tail, pushing the nose of the snowboard down in loose “powder” snow. This is the reason ski and snowboards designed for riding in deeper snow have borrowed the rocker shape from surfing.

The most common surfboard construction starts with rigid polyurethane (PU) or expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam slabs or “blanks”, typically reinforced with one or more stringers for further rigidity. After the foam is sculpted into the desired surfboard design, it is entirely encapsulated in a rigid skin by laminating fiberglass cloth to the foam, typically with polyester or epoxy resin. The fiberglass skin serves as a structural component, so typical surfboard construction is a monocoque design, which provides excellent rigidity. Furthermore, typical surfboards are shaped to have features that increase their monocoque rigidity compared to a monocoque design without that feature. For example, typical surfboards feature longitudinally convex (domed) deck shapes, as laminating the fiberglass to that contour increases the longitudinal rigidity of the fiberglass itself and therefore the board as well.

Typical surfboard construction emphasizes rigidity, so the speed and maneuverability trade-off caused by fixed rockers is considered normal.

The next most common type of surfboard, colloquially called a “soft top”, “foamie” or “foam board”, is designed with soft exteriors in the interests of user and bystander safety, lower cost, and impact durability. The soft exteriors are not structural, so soft tops are commonly reinforced for rigidity either internally with stringers or externally such as with a fiberglass layer bonded to the bottom surface, yet these still are less rigid than conventional fiberglass monocoque surfboards. Despite a degree of flexibility, soft tops do not deliver the benefits potentially available from a variable rocker. Quite the opposite, the flexibility of soft tops typically decreases both speed and maneuverability

Soft tops are generally “floppy” meaning they have flexibility without predefined flex patterns, and they lack an ideal rate of “snap back” to their original shape when relieved from flex inducing forces. As such, soft tops tend to push water forward, rather than under the board, making them slow. And their floppy nature means soft tops tend to be less responsive to surfer input and thus are more difficult to maneuver. Soft top surfboards demonstrate that flexibility alone does not create the benefits of a variable rocker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A flexible surfboard is provided in an embodiment. The surfboard includes a foam body having a length, width, and thickness. The surfboard includes a flexible structural component tapered in at least one dimension, and disposed within the foam body. The flexible structural component has as dimensions a length, width, and thickness, and is configured to flex under induced forces during use. The flex characteristics of the flexible surfboard are primarily dependent on flex characteristics of the flexible structural component. The tapered flexible structural component is oriented within the foam body such that the length, width, and thickness of the tapered flexible structural component align with the length, width, and thickness of the foam body, respectively. The thickness of the soft body is less than the width of the soft body, and the width of the soft body is less than the length of the soft body. The thickness of the tapered flexible structural component is less than the width of the tapered flexible structural component, and the width of the flexible structural component is less than the length of the tapered flexible structural component. The length of the tapered flexible structural component is 6 to 12 inches shorter than the length of the foam body.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the disclosure, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the embodiments of the disclosure, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the variable-rocker surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the variable-rocker surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the variable-rocker surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the variable-rocker surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is left side elevational view of the variable-rocker surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the variable-rocker surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the variable-rocker surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the variable-rocker surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the diamond-shaped panel 900 for a soft surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the triangular tapered width panel 905 for a soft surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9C is a perspective view of the triangular panel for a soft surfboard with tapered width and thickness 910, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10A is a top view of a tapered width diamond panel for a soft surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10B is a side view of the tapered width diamond panel for a soft surfboard under stress, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10C is a side view for either a diamond panel for a soft surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11A is a side view of the tapered width panel for a soft surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11B is a top view of the tapered width panel for a soft surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11C is a side view of the tapered width panel for a soft surfboard with forces applied, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12A is a top view of the tapered thickness panel for a soft surfboard, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12B is a side view of the tapered thickness panel for a soft surfboard showing the elastic deformation, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12C is a side view of the tapered thickness panel for a soft surfboard with forces applied, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of the panel for a soft surfboard showing a two piece horizontal lamination of panel, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the panel for a soft surfboard showing a vertical lamination, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 13C is a perspective view of the panel for a soft surfboard showing a combination of both, horizontal and vertically laminated panel, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14A is a top plane view of a triangular shaped soft surfboard panel had a a section removed so that it can have a single fin box disposed within the panel when the blank is assembled, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the panel for a soft surfboard with rounded corners for ease of manufacturing, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the panel for a soft surfboard with a combination of rocker and camber, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the panel for a soft surfboard with a combination of rocker and camber, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of the panel for a soft surfboard with a combination of rocker and camber, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 16B is a perspective view of the panel for a soft surfboard with a combination of rocker and camber, according to an embodiment;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred examples of the present disclosure and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-16, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements and are exemplary of.

The disclosure provides for a variable rocker by giving surfboards a range of flexibility when flex-inducing forces are applied, sufficient snap back to their original shape when flex-inducing forces are relieved, along with a flex pattern. When boards based on such embodiments flex, such a board typically will not flop or bend in arbitrary ways. The various rocker shapes formed through a range of flexibility are deliberately designed to balance speed and maneuverability for a desired degree of flex.

In reference to FIG. 1-2, an example of an embodiment is shown, wherein a surfboard blank 1 includes a tapered flexible structural component such as a tapered composite panel 5 surrounded by a soft body 10. In the example, the soft body 10 is provided with a cutout 11 adapted to retain the panel 5. The panel 5 is adhered into the cutout 11 of a soft body 10. A second soft body piece 10 is then adhered onto the other surface of a panel 5 to create a laminate or surfboard blank which may be shaped into a surfboard design.

In an embodiment, panel 5 is formed of a rigid panel material that is able to flex when a force is applied. The panel material for panel 5 is typically wood. The wood may be a single piece of wood or a laminated piece formed of two or more pieces of wood. In an embodiment, a panel including laminated wood may utilize vertical lamination, horizontal lamination, or a combination of the two. In the example, the grain of the wood will be typically aligned with the longitudinal length to provide increased strength over the longitudinal axis. The skin material for panel 5 is typically fiberglass, laminated to the panel with an epoxy resin. The skin may be fiberglass, another fiber-reinforced cloth such as carbon fiber, Kevlar, or flax, or a solid material such as wood or plastic.

In an example, wherein a wood panel is used, the wood used may be paulownia, aspen, beech, birch, bamboo, popular, another wood deemed suitable for the application, or a laminate comprised of multiple wood species. Generally, the wood should be free of knots, holes, and other inconsistencies that may affect the flex and strength of the panel.

In an embodiment, the panel may be a single plank of paulownia wood with dimensions of 5′×6″×0.375″ (length×width×thickness). In the example, this panel may be provided for a finished board between the lengths of 5′6 to 6′, wherein the panel does not extend all the way through the length of the board. The panel dimensions may be modified appropriately to suit any board length.

In another embodiment, the panel may be formed of a composite material, polymer, foam, honeycomb, or other material which is mostly rigid, but is also able to flex under an applied force. For example, the composite panel 5 may be a piece of wood laminated with fiberglass, carbon fiber, Kevlar, aramid, or other fiber-reinforced cloths to provide strengthen and/or stiffen the panel.

In another embodiment, foam, honeycomb, or other composite materials may be used in conjunction with or to replace wood to create the panel of panel 5. Differing panel materials may be used to create a desirable flex pattern in a composite panel. For example, softer panel materials may be used where more flex is desired for the panel, and stiffer panel materials may be used where less flex is desired for the panel.

In an embodiment, the panel 5 is tapered to create desirable flex characteristics. Because the panel 5 has less flex (stiffer) where its dimensions are larger, and more flex (softer) where its dimensions are smaller, its flex pattern can be controlled by tapering its width and thickness. In reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, panel 5 is shown wherein the width of the panel is tapered, such that it narrows from the middle of the panel to the ends. Adjusting flex through width has an approximately linear effect, wherein doubling the width approximately doubles the stiffness.

In another example, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, panel 5 has a tapered thickness, wherein the panel 5 is thickest at its center and thinnest at its ends. Adjusting flex through thickness has an approximately cubic effect, wherein doubling the thickness increases the stiffness by approximate eight times.

In another example, wherein a fiber-reinforced cloth is used, the cloth may be tapered, layered, and overlapped to create a desirable flex pattern. For instance, where increasing flex is desired toward the ends of a panel, the center of the entire length of the panel may be provided with 4 layers of cloth. In contrast, the center can be provided with an additional 2 layers of cloth, such that the center of the panel will be stiffer compared to the ends of the panel.

In reference to FIG. 3, another embodiment is shown in an exploded view, wherein the panel 5 of a surfboard blank is laminated between two soft body pieces 10. In the example, each of the soft body pieces 10 is provided with a cutout 11 adapted to fit the panel 5. To create the blank, the panel 5 and the interior faces and cutout 11 of the soft body pieces 10 are coated with adhesive. The panel 5 is fit into the cutouts 11 of the body pieces 10, and the components are pressed together as the adhesive cures. This process creates a laminated sandwich, wherein the panel 5 is entirely or partially enveloped by the soft body pieces 10 to form the preferred surfboard blank.

In reference to FIG. 4, a cross-section of the surfboard blank 1 in an embodiment is shown wherein the panel 5 is laminated between two soft body pieces 10. The laminate is arranged in a vertical orientation, wherein the body pieces 10 are set onto the top and bottom surfaces of the panel. The arrangement provides a surfboard blank 1 wherein the panel 5 is completely enveloped by the soft body portions 10.

In reference to FIG. 5, panel 5 is shown having a tapering thickness, wherein the panel is thickest in the center of its length and thinnest at its ends. In reference to FIG. 6, panel 5 is shown between two soft body pieces 10, wherein each of the soft body pieces is provided with a cutout 11 adapted to fit one half of the panel. In the example, the panel 5 and interior faces of the soft body pieces will be coated with adhesive and fit together. This will completely envelop the panel 5 within the two soft body pieces.

In reference to FIG. 7, an embodiment of a completed surfboard blank 1 is shown. In the example shown, panel 5 has been enveloped by soft body piece 10 provided on the left side, and a soft body piece 10 provided on the right side. The components have been adhered, and in some examples, a glue line 12 may be visible where the two exterior pieces are adhered together.

In an example, the soft body 10 of the surfboard blank 1 is comprised of a low density, soft, and flexible material. The soft body 10 in an embodiment is preferably formed of polyethylene (PE) foam with a density of approximately 2 pounds per cubic foot (PCF), but may also be comprised of arcel, polypropylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, a blend of these, or other materials deemed suitable for the application.

In an example, the soft body portions of surfboard blank 1, will then be shaped into a surfboard design. The blank can be shaped with hand tools, power tools, or by a computer numeric controlled (CNC) cutting machine. In an example, after being shaped, the blank is laminated with a high-density skin. In the preferred example, the high-density skin is comprised of PE foam of approximately 8 PCF; however, other common skin materials such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) may be used. The high-density skin may be hand laminated to the shaped blank, vacuum bagged, or heat-bonded. The excess skin is then trimmed off or sanded away to bring the blank back to its desired shape.

In an embodiment, the soft body 10 and high-density skin will have relatively little rigidity or elasticity on their own. The objective for such an embodiment, is that the created surfboard blank 1, will have flex characteristics which are primarily dependent on panel 5.

In reference to FIG. 8, an embodiment of a finished surfboard 2 is shown. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the finished surfboard 2 is provided with a high-density skin 15. Furthermore, the surfboard 2 has been provided with a fin system 20 so a user may use removable fins with the surfboard. In another embodiment, the surfboard 2 will be further provided with a plug to attach to a leash (not shown), and an extra, thin skin layer (not shown) provided on the bottom surface, and preferably comprised of a PVC as is known in the art.

The ideal result of the flexible panel is that in straight-line travel, its flex enables the length of the surfboard to be relatively flat against the dynamic surface of the wave beneath it for maximum speed. In cornering, the surfer's weight and feet position against the surfboard's area of water contact flexes the length of the surfboard to increase its rocker for better maneuverability. Under normal circumstances, the board examples described herein have less (flatter) rocker than typical surfboards which allow for increased maximum straight-line speed. Since cornering forces operate relative to how hard a surfer turns, flex increases rocker to the degree needed to match the arc of the surfer's intended turn.

In another example, panel 5 may be constructed with a degree of upward longitudinal curvature before it is disposed partially or entirely into soft body. The curvature may be designed to correspond with a final surfboard shape in order to, for example, reduce the effort or time required to work the soft body into that surfboard's shape. The curvature may also serve to help the surfboard's nose remain above the surface of the water while riding a wave.

In reference to FIGS. 9A-9C, an embodiment is illustrated, wherein some possible panel shapes may be achieved by tapering width and thickness that corresponds to the ratio of L:W:H of 160:16:1. A few of the aforementioned shapes include, but are not limited to, diamond-shaped panel 900, tapered width triangular panel 905, and tapered width and thickness, triangular panel 910.

In an embodiment, the panels 900, 905, and 910 are formed of a rigid panel material which is able to flex to a predefined stressed shape when a force is applied and rebound to its unstressed shape when the force is removed. The preferred panel material is wood, but other options include and are not limited to a composite material, polymer, foam, honeycomb, or other material which is mostly rigid but is also able to flex under an applied force and return quickly to an unstressed shape when force is eased.

In an example, panels 900, 905, and 910 may be laminated with a preferred skin material fiberglass, laminated to the panel with an epoxy resin. The skin may be fiberglass, another fiber-reinforced cloth such as carbon fiber, Kevlar, or flax, or a solid material such as wood or plastic.

In reference to FIG. 10A-10C, another set of examples is provided, wherein the top plan relaxed view of panel 1000 from centrally located width 1005 tapers to the terminal ends 1010 and 1015. The width need not be centrally located along the length of panel 1000 and ends 1010, and 1015 do not need to have identical terminal widths or be equidistant to the widest point 1005.

In an embodiment, a side view of relaxed panel 1020 indicates that the thickness does not taper. When a force is applied in the direction of vector X, the panel will become stressed. Keeping the majority of the width in the center of rigid panel 1025 results in less flex around the max-width of panel 1025 and more flex towards tapered ends 1030 and 1035. This potentially affords a great elastic deformation in the direction of vectors Y and Z to create an advantageous shape for maneuvering a soft surfboard, while the unstressed shape 1020 is more suited for speed generation.

In reference to FIG. 11A-11C, another embodiment is illustrated in a top plan view of a relaxed panel 1100, The width is located at terminal end 1110 and tapers to a smaller width 1105 at the opposing end. In an example, a side relaxed view of panel 1115 indicates that there is no taper in thickness, and the shape in its unstressed state is relatively flat in this embodiment.

In an example, when a force is applied in the direction of vector X the panel will become stressed. It is understood by keeping the majority of the width in the center of rigid panel 1120. There will be less flex around the max-width of panel 1120, which tapers towards end 1125. This will afford a great elastic deformation in the direction of vectors Y to create a more advantageous shape for maneuvering soft surfboard then non stressed shape 1115, which is more suited for speed generation.

In reference to FIGS. 12A-12C, another embodiment is illustrated in a top plan view of a relaxed panel 1200, with the width constant along the length. In an example, a side view of relaxed panel 1205 indicates that there is a taper along the thickness of panel 1210. The width is constant along the length of panel 1205 tapering thickness from 1215 to 1210. In this example, it is expected when force is applied in the direction of vector X the panel takes on a stressed panel shape 1220. More flex will be attributed to tapered end 1225 in the direction of vector Y, than at the thickest end 1230 of the panel 1220. Although the width does not taper, it can still achieve a similar shape to 320 of FIG. 3C and is identified as a stressed surf shape that is potentially more advantageous for maneuverability than in its non-stressed shape, which is more suited towards speed generation.

In the examples of FIG. 9-12 it is shown that a rigid panel board with L:W:H ratio of 160:16:1 can yield a multitude of shapes that have an unstressed shape which yields a soft surf blank that can have different flex properties, which can be predefined by preferences of manufacturers of the various embodiments. They may create a product that better serves the variations in surfer's abilities, body types, wave shape, and preferred surfing styles, for example.

In reference to FIGS. 13A-13C, another embodiment is illustrated wherein a panel 1300, 1310, and 1320 may be formed of a rigid material which is able to flex towards a desirable stressed shape when a force is applied and then return when the force is removed. The preferred panel material for the rigid panel 1300 is wood in some embodiments. The wood may be a single piece of wood or a laminated piece comprising of two or more pieces of wood. In an example, a rigid panel 1300 formed of laminated wood may utilize horizontal lamination 1305, vertical lamination 1315 in panel 1310, or a combination of both (horizontal lamination 1325 and vertical lamination 1330) for panel 1320. This will potentially further moderate the desired flex patterns

In reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B, another embodiment illustrates advantages that have been discovered in the refining and further experimentation with different implementations. In an example panel, 1400 may have a rectangular cut out for fin slot 1405, so that a fin (not shown) or fin receptacle (not shown) may be securely anchored in the panel 1400 when it is disposed in a soft surfboard (not shown). This provides stability for the fin as the strength is coming from the panel 1400 as well as allowing the fin or fin n box (both not shown) manufactured with soft surfboard blank which serves as a means for aiding the steering finished surfboard not shown.

In an example, it is demonstrated that panel 1410 can have filleted corners 1415, which have been determined in some embodiments to provide ease of manufacturing and strength of blanks. Additionally, sharper edges 1420 may put undue stress from inside of soft surfboard (not shown) that the panel 1410 is disposed within while being weighted by a rider.

In reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B, another embodiment illustrates further refinement of panels 1500 and 1520 in a non-straight relaxed state. In an example, camber 1505 has been introduced to the rear portion of the panel 1500 complemented by rocker 1510 near the front portion of the panel 1500. This combination of camber 1505 and rocker 1510 potentially offers a unique advantage for panel performance.

Camber 1505 allows for the weight of a rider to be more evenly distributed across the length of panel 1500. This will tend to increase the stability and control of the finished soft surfboard (not shown) in which the panel 1500 is disposed. Camber 1505 will improve the flex response of panel 1500 by introducing internal stresses which improve the elastic deflection of the panel when force is applied in the direction of vector X. When camber 1505 has a load applied in the direction of vector X it will compress the bend of the camber 1505 in the direction of vector Y. This will extenuate the rocker 1510 which, when stressed, will further raise end 1515 in the direction of vector Z toward a flatter unstressed panel shape. The addition of camber 1505 thus allows panel 1500 to potentially be made thinner than other flatter panels without sacrificing loss of performance.

In another example of panel 1520, some of the unique features previously described also appear. The maximum width and thickness of panel 1520 is located at tail end 1535 and tapers in both the width and thickness to nose end 1535. Camber 1525 is at the tail end of panel 1520 and transitions to rocker 1530. This tapering of panel 1520 potentially results in more significant displacement of end 1540 in the direction of vector C, when a force is applied in the direction of vector A as compared with end 1515 in the direction of vector Z of panel 1500 assuming same materials are used.

In an example, panel 1520 has also had a fin cut out placed so that a fin (not shown) or fin enclosure box (not shown) may be securely anchored in the panel 1520 when it is disposed in soft surfboard (not shown). A mechanism for securing a fin will improve the endurance of the surf on a single fin (not shown), which would act as a steering mechanism for a surfboard 2 of FIG. 8 that experiences a significant amount of force on a smaller area and needs to remain strong to ensure longevity of soft surfboard performance. The corners of panel 1520 have also been rounded to aid in the construction of soft surfboard (not shown).

In reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B, another embodiment is provided, wherein it is demonstrated an experiment that was carried out by applicant. Panel 1600 was similar in shape to panel 900 of FIG. 9A. Panel 1600 was formed of one piece of poplar wood, laminated with fiberglass cloth and epoxy resin on both sides, and was tapered, so that ends 1605 and 1610 are half the width as center 1615. Force was applied to the center in the direction of vector X resulting in ˜4 in of displacement of ends 1605 and 1610 as compared to center 1615. The range around 3.5-6 is the typical operating range of a traditional hard body surfboard. This stressed shape may be leveraged by force to aid maneuverability and then have force removed by an operator not shown and return to the unstressed state, which is more advantageous for speed generation.

In some embodiments, the panel is formed in an asymmetric shape, which may be used as part of an assymetric or symmetric surfboard. Additionally, in some embodiments, a symmetric panel is used in an asymmetric finished surfboard. Such designs may be used at the discretion of those shaping a finished surfboard. The panel may be expected to be formed to taper in a manner consistent with the embodiments shown and described herein.

The disclosure has been described herein using specific examples for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the disclosure can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the disclosure should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific examples disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A flexible surfboard blank comprising: a foam body having a length, width, and thickness; and a flexible structural component tapered in at least one dimension, disposed within the foam body, the flexible structural component having as dimensions a length, width, and thickness, and configured to flex under induced forces during use, wherein the flex characteristics of the flexible surfboard blank are primarily dependent on flex characteristics of the flexible structural component, and wherein the tapered flexible structural component is oriented within the foam body such that the length, width, and thickness of the tapered flexible structural component align with the length, width, and thickness of the foam body, respectively, wherein the thickness of the soft body is less than the width of the soft body, and the width of the soft body is less than the length of the soft body, and wherein the thickness of the tapered flexible structural component is less than the width of the tapered flexible structural component, and the width of the flexible structural component is less than the length of the tapered flexible structural component, wherein the length of the tapered flexible structural component is 6 to 12 inches shorter than the length of the foam body.
 2. A flexible surfboard comprising: a foam body having a length, width, and thickness; and a flexible structural component tapered in at least one dimension, disposed within the foam body, the flexible structural component having as dimensions a length, width, and thickness, and configured to flex under induced forces during use, wherein the flex characteristics of the flexible surfboard are primarily dependent on flex characteristics of the flexible structural component, and wherein the tapered flexible structural component is oriented within the foam body such that the length, width, and thickness of the tapered flexible structural component align with the length, width, and thickness of the foam body, respectively, wherein the thickness of the soft body is less than the width of the soft body, and the width of the soft body is less than the length of the soft body, and wherein the thickness of the tapered flexible structural component is less than the width of the tapered flexible structural component, and the width of the flexible structural component is less than the length of the tapered flexible structural component, wherein the length of the tapered flexible structural component is 6 to 12 inches shorter than the length of the foam body.
 3. The flexible surfboard of claim 2, wherein a ratio of length to width to thickness, of the tapered flexible structural component is approximately 160:16:1.
 4. The flexible surfboard of claim 3, wherein the width is measured at a widest point of the flexible structural component, orthogonal to the length and the thickness, and wherein the thickness is measured at a thickest point of the flexible structural component, orthogonal to the length and width.
 5. The flexible surfboard of claim 2, wherein the flexible structural component is formed of wood.
 6. The flexible surfboard of claim 2, wherein the flexible structural component is formed of wood that is laminated with a fiber-reinforced cloth.
 7. The flexible surfboard of claim 2, wherein the flexible structural component is formed of a composite material.
 8. The flexible surfboard of claim 4, wherein the panel's thickest point may be located anywhere along the longitudinal axis and may taper thickness to at least one terminal end to further modulate a desired flex pattern.
 9. The flexible surfboard of claim 4, wherein the panel's widest point may be located anywhere along the longitudinal axis and may taper width to further modulate desired flex pattern.
 10. The flexible surfboard of claim 4, in which the panel may be a flat, pre-manufactured rocker.
 11. The flexible surfboard of claim 4, in which the panel may be a flat, pre manufactured with a combination of camber on the rear half of the board blending towards flat or rocker shape.
 12. The flexible surfboard of claim 2, wherein the soft body is formed of polyurethane or expanded polystyrene foam.
 13. The flexible surfboard of claim 2, wherein the foam body is formed of a low-density polyethylene foam.
 14. The flexible surfboard of claim 13, further comprising a high-density polyethylene foam skin adhered to the soft foam body.
 15. A method of making a flexible surfboard comprising: providing a foam body having a length, a width, and a thickness enclosing a tapered flexible structural component within the foam body, the tapered flexible structural component having a length, width, thickness, and configured to flex under induced forces during use; and orienting the tapered within the foam body such that the length, width, and thickness of the tapered flexible structural component align with the length, width, and thickness of the foam body, respectively; wherein the flex characteristics of the flexible surfboard are primarily dependent on flex characteristics of the flexible structural component, wherein the thickness of the soft body is less than the width of the soft body, and the width of the soft body is less than the length of the soft body, and wherein the thickness of the flexible structural component is less than the width of the flexible structural component, and the width of the flexible structural component is less than the length of the flexible structural component, wherein the length of the flexible structural component is 6 to 12 inches shorter than the length of the foam body.
 16. The method of making the flexible surfboard of claim 14, further comprising shaping the foam body into a surfboard design.
 17. The method of making the flexible surfboard of claim 14, further comprising filleting the corners of the flexible structural component for ease of blank manufacturing.
 18. The method of making the flexible surfboard of claim 11, further comprising routing a spot in the flexible structural component to place a fin or receptacle capable of receiving a fin.
 19. The method of making the flexible surfboard of claim 14, further comprising adhering a skin to the surfboard design and wherein the skin is formed of a high-density polyethylene foam.
 20. The method of making the flexible surfboard of claim 14, wherein the flexible structural component is adhered to the foam body. 